May 8-10, 2024 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/10/2024
A classic 1914 Navy Luger, dated 1916, with barleycorn front sight, fine tune rear sight adjustable between 100 and 200 meters, and matching full or partial serial numbers observed throughout. Large diameter toggle axle pin. Imperial Navy marks and proofs throughout. DWM marked on toggle, "1916" above chamber, on left side of frame, and left side of front sight. Wood bottom magazine with typical crack, repaired by pins. Mixed blued and strawed finish. Discretely import marked on the inside of the slide "L.S.A. CALAX. VA. CAL 9P GERMANY DUBLIN 1916". This pistol is one of the 28 pieces that Bill Edwards was able to purchase from the Irish Department of Defence in 1990. 28 guns were purchased in total, and the belief is that the 1914 Navies were pieces from the 1916 Easter Rising, and the Irish War of Independence. 1088 is a 1914 Navy, and per the included letter from Bill Edwards (he templated a letter for each pistol), German submarine U-19 ferried a small number of pistols while another, larger ship was ferrying a larger number of weapons. Another letter from Edwards, dated 1991, confirms that he got the information from Commandant McKenny of the Irish Department of Defence. While the 1916 Easter Rising ultimately failed, it laid the groundwork for the later successful Irish War of Independence and the political stage in Ireland today. This Luger is further accompanied by a 1917-1921 Service medal with Comrac bar. Paperwork includes copies of the original DOD invoice, listing this pistol and others by serial number, some research of the Irish Easter Rising, and information on the medals. CONDITION: Very good as used, retaining the vast majority of the factory bluing, with some silvering to high edges and distension about the proofs. Areas of scattered handling marks and scratches, with a few fine areas of oxidation on the barrel. Grips very good with some abraded heads. Mechanically fine, bore has visible rifling but has heavy oxidation throughout. Medal is very good with some tarnishing, and of appropriate weight. This is a lot of very rare pieces related to the founding of a modern nation. N.B. This cataloger has extensive experience with Republican history, and this is the first example he has seen publicly offered in the United States.
Accessories
Framed Document, Book, Medal